Capitals respond
Summerside strikes for three quick goals early in second period en route to important win
Billy McGuigan challenged the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals, and the players responded. The Capitals head coach delivered a stern message to his team in the first intermission of Sunday night’s game against the Truro Bearcats.
The Caps promptly went out and scored three unanswered goals in the first 3: 45 of the second period to turn a 2- 1 deficit into a 4- 2 lead en route to a 5- 2 victory, and an important two points.
“We started off slow and came back into the dressing room and Billy gave us a good speech,” said Capitals forward Kallum Muirhead, who contributed a goal and an assist. “We got pumped up off that, and played well the rest of the game.”
McGuigan said the biggest thing he wanted his players to do was simplify their game. “We decided we have to get back to a simple game, and we are not a fancy team,” said McGuigan. “We put the work boots on in the second ( period).”
McGuigan liked what he saw from his players in the final two periods.
“The last 40 minutes we were really strong,” said McGuigan. “We were structurally sound, we controlled the play and I thought we had most of the possession.”
Second place
The Capitals, who improved to 17- 12- 1- 0 ( won- lost- overtime losses- shootout losses), moved into second place in the Eastlink North Division of the MHL ( Maritime Junior Hockey League).
The Caps are one point ahead of the Campbellton Tigers ( 16- 12- 2- 0) and Miramichi Timberwolves ( 15- 10- 2- 2). “I was saying to the guys before the game in our pre- game meeting I went to bed last night ( Saturday) in second place and woke up in fourth, but we are back in second now,” said a smiling McGuigan.
“It’s a real battle, and all the points count now.” Before an announced crowd of 2,200 for the team’s first Centennial Classic at Eastlink Arena, TJ Shea scored two goals to extend his point streak to 24 games, and Brodie MacArthur had two helpers for a two- point night as well. MacArthur has recorded at least a point in 16 straight games.
Chris Chaddock and Morgan MacDonald also scored for the Capitals, who received single helpers from Sebastien Cormier, Zach Thususka, Jesse Annear, Jordan Spence, Alex Hambly and Riley Smith. Campbell Pickard and Luke MacMillan replied for the Bearcats ( 14- 15- 0- 1).
Defensive play
Alex Bishop was the winning goaltender, and Kevin Resop was between the pipes for Truro. Overall, the Capitals, who limited the Bearcats’ quality scoring chances, held a 36- 31 shots- on- goal advantage.
“Our D ( defence) played well,” assessed Muirhead, an 18- year- old Charlottetown native. “They got pucks out off the glass and made good, hard passes.”
The game’s three stars were:
1. TJ Shea ( Capitals), 2. Kallum Muirhead ( Capitals), 3. Brodie MacArthur ( Capitals). The Capitals return to ac-
tion on Thursday, when the Valley Wildcats ( 12- 17- 1- 1) visit Eastlink Arena for a 7 p. m. faceoff.